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SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Orange County, Calif., Oct. 26, 2026 — Three vehicles collided Saturday night, October 24, on southbound Interstate 5 at Junipero Serra Road after one vehicle was reportedly traveling the wrong way into oncoming traffic, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The crash was reported shortly before 8 p.m., when dispatch logs show a vehicle facing the wrong direction blocking a lane on southbound I-5 near Junipero Serra Road. Radio traffic described a gray SUV involved with a white truck, and a third vehicle was also reportedly struck. The collision left a black truck, a silver vehicle and the third vehicle blocking multiple lanes.
Bystanders at the scene reportedly tried to help a person trapped inside a white SUV. Emergency vehicles were called in to help clear wreckage, and lanes remained affected for roughly an hour before traffic was released back to the roadway shortly after 8 p.m.
The circumstances that led to a vehicle entering southbound I-5 against traffic are still under investigation. We wish those injured a full recovery.
More on Crashes in San Juan Capistrano, CA
This multi-vehicle crash happened at Interstate 5 and Junipero Serra Road in San Juan Capistrano, CA. We cover crashes across Orange County as they're reported, and you can browse the latest in our Orange County accident reports.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are wrong-way crashes more common on certain roads?
They tend to cluster on freeways with limited access points, confusing exit ramps, or interchanges where a driver can mistakenly enter via an off-ramp. Divided highways like I-5 see these crashes more often than city streets.
What causes wrong-way crashes?
Common factors include impairment, driver confusion at interchanges, wrong turns at night, and medical emergencies. Investigators typically look at all of these before determining a cause.
Why are wrong-way crashes so often fatal or serious?
Vehicles traveling toward each other close distance much faster than in a same-direction crash, so the impact speed is far higher. Drivers also have less time to react or steer away.
What time of day are wrong-way crashes most common?
They happen more frequently at night and in the late evening, often in low-visibility conditions, which matches the timing of this crash.
What to Do After a Wrong-Way Crash in San Juan Capistrano, CA
If you're involved in or witness a wrong-way crash, call 911 immediately and move to a safe location away from traffic lanes if possible. Even if you feel fine, get checked by a medical provider, since injuries from high-speed head-on impacts aren't always obvious right away. Take photos of the scene if it's safe to do so, and get the names and contact information of any witnesses. Request a copy of the CHP incident report once it's available, as it will include official details that may not be known at the scene. Give yourself time to process what happened; wrong-way crashes are frightening events even when injuries are minor.
